Advice for Dec 30 & Dec 31!

[WDW_Vacationer]

I know there are a ton of opinions and different views - I've read through some different blogs and such on the subject. But wanted to come ask the experts here! We've been to WDW plenty of times..but always in the summer for vacation. We are planning now on coming down and doing a 2 day trip - so we will be there December 30th and 31st for New Years Eve. We will have 2 day park hoppers. We will NOT however be staying on site...(this is a first).

I suppose first off...not being on site, we need to make sure to get to the parks early so we aren't cut off later in the day, correct? Second...any thoughts on which to do which day? I'm thinking we will keep it down to MK and Epcot. My thought now is MK while a mad house on the 30th will be even worse on the 31st...so do we spend most of the 30th at MK and watch The Fantasy in the Sky fireworks then? Then spend the night of the 31st at Epcot for New Years Eve (as I'm thinking while crowded, will be SLIGHTLY less crowded then MK)?


Any and all suggestions appreciated!!!!

 

[yulilin3]

We LOVE NYE at Epcot. It is very, very crowded and I'm not sure if you want to ride anything or just be there for the experience.
We are locals so we just go for the parties at night. We usually arrive around 5pm (Epcot hasn't closed for capacity in 10 years that we've done this) watch the first Illuminations from the grassy area between Test Track and the Fountain (they open the grassy areas for people to sit and enjoy) and after we head to World Showcase via backstage open gates behind Test Track this puts you out into China (these area are a great way to walk between places, there's also backstage path open by UK that puts you out by Imagination pavilion)
From there we take in the China party (fire-breathing dragon) Italy (lasers and techno music) and American Adventure (dj that alternates with a live latin band). We don't bother to grab a spot for the NYE fireworks by the railing and just walk around and enjoy. Then we just stand by the Italy pavilion for the fireworks. After we stay around some more while tens of thousands of people leave. We exit the park around 1:30am, at this time the traffic to leave isn't horrible
My most important tip is don't wait to go to the restrooms...after attractions and quick service restaurants this is the longest line you will make.
Be patient and have fun

 

[lyndeah]

i cant speak to the 30th but we were there on the 31st last year and actually epcot is more crowded than mk on NYE -- when we were having our backpack checked the security guy told us dec 31st is the busiest day of the year at epcot and typical numbers reached about 275,000 ppl. I will say will younger children when it's dark there were times at night DH and I were a little panicked b/c even with all of the ppl working the lines just to move about are insane. I suggest making a plan (reservations somewhere or have a place to watch illuminations) bc if you plan on just being there you (unless you love crazy crowds) you may not enjoy it! This year we plan to go back but have made dinner reservations at epcot so that once we are there we can sit and watch them. We did MK during the day and it was also pretty crowded but nothing in comparison to epcot at night.

 

[Mkrop]

following for advice...thanks

 

[yulilin3]

google Epcot New Years Eve images and you'll have a better idea on crowds. It's def. shoulder to shoulder. Like I said depending on what you want to do you 'll need to have a good plan (if you're thinking of doing attractions)
If you're just there for the entertainment then just relax, go with the flow, have patience.

 

[robinb]

I know there are a ton of opinions and different views - I've read through some different blogs and such on the subject. But wanted to come ask the experts here! We've been to WDW plenty of times..but always in the summer for vacation. We are planning now on coming down and doing a 2 day trip - so we will be there December 30th and 31st for New Years Eve. We will have 2 day park hoppers. We will NOT however be staying on site...(this is a first).

I suppose first off...not being on site, we need to make sure to get to the parks early so we aren't cut off later in the day, correct? Second...any thoughts on which to do which day? I'm thinking we will keep it down to MK and Epcot. My thought now is MK while a mad house on the 30th will be even worse on the 31st...so do we spend most of the 30th at MK and watch The Fantasy in the Sky fireworks then? Then spend the night of the 31st at Epcot for New Years Eve (as I'm thinking while crowded, will be SLIGHTLY less crowded then MK)?


Any and all suggestions appreciated!!!!

First of all, you will want to see Fantasy in the Sky on the 30th and the Epcot fireworks on the 31st. Park at the MK on the 30th since the lot WILL close before 10:30 am! make sure you are at the Ticket and Transportation Center at least 45 minutes before off-site park opening. Stand to the far left as close to the ferry as possible. They do not run the monorail in the morning and the CMs open the gates to the ferry left to right (from the guest perpective). If you are too far right you will miss the first and maybe even second ferry.

If you don't plan on going to the MK that morning I think you can still walk over to the Polynesian and you can take a bus to the park of your choice. If you do that, make your FP+ for the MK as your PM park. If you start at the MK, hop somewhere else, and return to the MK then you may want FP+ to be in your middle park. The MK WILL reach phase 2 closing on that day (http://www.wdwmagic.com/park-closing-phases.htm) but it WILL re-open but be prepared to tell the CM that you are park hopping when you return. If you want to go home for a break, you can do that but you may not be able to park at the MK again but I would try because you want your car to be close when you're done. You may have to park at Epcot (save your receipt and you can re-park for free) and take the monorail to the MK. Again, be prepared to show the CM that you are park hopping. The MK has EMH until 3 am but you won't be eligible for it.

Since you're going to be out late the night before, it's up to you to decide if you want to burn the candles at both end and be up early again. If you don't, I would plan FP+ somewhere in the early afternoon. You will want to end up at Epcot for NYE fireworks. Try to stalk for a dinner ADR because it's going to be very busy and a break will be appreciated. There is a very cool dining ADR searching tool called the "Disney Dining Search Tool" (note, I can't link directly to it). Hat and noisemakers will be handed out around 6:00 pm. If you start out at Epcot you DO NOT need to stay in the park all day. It is not necessary as Epcot rarely closes. I have been at Epcot many times for NYE and we ALWAYS leave and come back. ALWAYS. We have never had a problem returning around 4-6 pm. There are dance parties all over Epcot which is fun. There are lines everywhere, including the bathrooms. The shortest bathroom line is in the old Millennium Village between Canada and the UK.

It's super-crazy-busy there for NYE but it's a blast! Have fun!

 

[DisneyChristmas]

We've been there over New Year's three times from Dec 29 until early January. Yes, the 30th and 31st are super crowded!

If you're a regular WDW visitor and can forego the rides (and huge lines), there are enough entertainment opportunities such as shows and parades and pop-up events to keep you enchanted and feeling the magic.

When we did NYE at Hollywood Studios, we didn't arrive until 6:00 pm and had no trouble getting in. Perhaps we were just lucky.

The two times at MK we arrived in the morning and stored our sweaters/jackets in a locker for after dark. We did some rides and had two great meals. Mostly we enjoyed the shows and people watching as the park got more crowded and more exciting every hour.

As was mentioned earlier, we didn't try to leave right after midnight with the throng. Some of the shops stayed open, and we just took our time. One of the few times that we've ever been asked to show resort ID was taking the small boat to the Poly after NYE at MK.

 

[MrKnight]

As long as you go with the understanding and expectation that both parks will be EXTREMELY crowded both days, then it sounds like you have a good plan in place by doing MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st.

I have been to Epcot several times for NYE and it was has always been a BLAST! I couldnt possibly think of a better place in WDW to spend NYE. The park is open until 1am and there are some incredible DJ dance parties throughout the World Showcase with lighting effects and the whole nine yards, the entire park becomes a huge party. There is a late showing of Illuminations followed by a special NYE countdown show which is also incredible.

My recommendations to make your experience best are as follows:

1) Arrive to the park by no later than noon to avoid being unable to get in due to capacity. Take transportation if possible as driving in will be difficult and parking lots will fill up very quickly and early.
2) Make at least one dining reservation anywhere you can, you will appreciate being able to sit down and enjoying a good meal while you escape the crowds for a bit. Be flexible with dining times, I have normally had to settle for a late lunch or very early dinner as most times are likely already booked. Also be flexible with rthe estaurant venue as most may already be booked all day.
3) Leave the park at least 30 minutes AFTER it has closed to avoid the massive rush of guests leaving right at closing time, I would rather walk around the park for a bit more than to be stuck in gridlocked traffic.
4) And last but not least, be PATIENT, go with the flow of the crowd, and be COURTEOUS to your fellow guests AND cast members!

Have Fun!

 

[yulilin3]

As long as you go with the understanding and expectation that both parks will be EXTREMELY crowded both days, then it sounds like you have a good plan in place by doing MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st.

I have been to Epcot several times for NYE and it was has always been a BLAST! I couldnt possibly think of a better place in WDW to spend NYE. The park is open until 1am and there are some incredible DJ dance parties throughout the World Showcase with lighting effects and the whole nine yards, the entire park becomes a huge party. There is a late showing of Illuminations followed by a special NYE countdown show which is also incredible.

My recommendations to make your experience best are as follows:

1) Arrive to the park by no later than noon to avoid being unable to get in due to capacity. Take transportation if possible as driving in will be difficult and parking lots will fill up very quickly and early.
2) Make at least one dining reservation anywhere you can, you will appreciate being able to sit down and enjoying a good meal while you escape the crowds for a bit. Be flexible with dining times, I have normally had to settle for a late lunch or very early dinner as most times are likely already booked. Also be flexible with rthe estaurant venue as most may already be booked all day.
3) Leave the park at least 30 minutes AFTER it has closed to avoid the massive rush of guests leaving right at closing time, I would rather walk around the park for a bit more than to be stuck in gridlocked traffic.
4) And last but not least, be PATIENT, go with the flow of the crowd, and be COURTEOUS to your fellow guests AND cast members!

Have Fun!

I agree with you minus point number 1
Epcot has never reached capacity and the more rested you are the better you'll enjoy the park. We always have arrived around 5pm and never have had a problem entering due to capacity. Also if you have a car it's better to drive yourself. You can be stuck for a long time waiting for buses or taxis even. If you have a car and there's still traffic to get out at least you'll be sitting comfortably in your own vehicle

 

[robinb]

First of all, to the DIS MrKnight!

I agree with you minus point number 1
Epcot has never reached capacity and the more rested you are the better you'll enjoy the park. We always have arrived around 5pm and never have had a problem entering due to capacity. Also if you have a car it's better to drive yourself. You can be stuck for a long time waiting for buses or taxis even. If you have a car and there's still traffic to get out at least you'll be sitting comfortably in your own vehicle

I think that Epcot may have closed on 1999/2000 but even that day it re-opened in time for us to re-enter in the early evening. In any case, you're correct that it is not necessary to hang out at Epcot all day if you don't want to.

 

[ktlm]

First of all, to the DIS MrKnight!

I think that Epcot may have closed on 1999/2000 but even that day it re-opened in time for us to re-enter in the early evening. In any case, you're correct that it is not necessary to hang out at Epcot all day if you don't want to.

Yes it did close- we were there that year. The only park that did not close that day was AK. We were at AK that day, because we had event tickets for the special party at DTD's Pleasure Island that night, and weheard lots of people complaining that they were stuck there and could not get in any of the other parks. I remember a guy throwing an absolute fit because Disney had guaranteed that if you were staying at a resort, you would get in a park that day, and that they didn't tell him that it wasn't any park and they didn't tell him that meant it might be only AK which was not even open until midnight. He was livid about being in a park that closed well before midnight.


It is insane those days, but you can still have a great time. We had a great trip that year even though the parks were crazy busy. We were 2 adults pre-kids though. I'm pretty sure it would not be nearly as fun if you had a preschooler with you.

You said you were staying off site, which is going to be a disadvantage to you in terms of park closures. You need to be at MK VERY VERY early. If you are offsite with Magic your way base tickets, you get turned away in Phase 1 of the park closures (I think if you have a dining reservation even if you are offsite, you are a later phase though) At MK, phase 1 can happen very quickly those 2 days. Also, assuming you are driving, the MK parking lot can be closed very very early. While phase 4, a total closure is very rare at EPCOT, I don't know how often they might have.

Here is a news report from last year:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...imes-hit-5-hrs-new-year-eve-article-1.1562901

 

[WDW_Vacationer]

Thanks for the various replies! And yes...we will be staying off-site for this visit. Have enough Marriott points the hotel will be free...so might as well. We will at least have park hoppers - so hoping if for some reason MK would be closed we can go elsewhere, etc. But the plan is to arrive at MK both days (9am or so) - hopefully have half a day of doing what few rides we can...then take couple hour break...maybe stroll around the Polynesian for lunch or something...then hit the park again and find a good spot to stake out for parade, fireworks - my thought here is try to find somewhere to camp out like 5-6PM?

Then on the 31st, we would drive back and park at MK again...maybe again do a half day there with the little kids as they enjoy that...then slowly work our way over towards epcot on the monorail...find early dinner...then a place there to camp out for the NYE events that night?

Hopefully it all works out...either way, plan on having our vehicle parked at the MK lots by 9am or so.....we are early birds.

 

[diskids2]

I have a quick question....does anyone think I will have an extremely hard time finding a cab from DTD to the CR around 8 pm on 12/31. Leaving the Cirque show and going to an ADR at the CR.

 

[Liz Z]

Hi Fellow Disers

My adult daughter and i will be in the world from Dec 28th to the 3rd of January
I also have a question from those who have been to MK on Dec. 30th. Our plan is to go 1/2 day to Hollywood studios(already have our fp+ )then AK. And since AK closes early we would head over to MK to watch the fireworks.
Do you think we'll be able to get in around 7pm? We will be staying on site.

Or if we can't get in is there a place outside that we might be able see them. I know the Contemporary has it's balcony but can you suggest anywhere else?

Thanks so much for all the great advice
Liz

 

[ktlm]

We will at least have park hoppers - so hoping if for some reason MK would be closed we can go elsewhere, etc. But the plan is to arrive at MK both days (9am or so) - hopefully have half a day of doing what few rides we can...then take couple hour break...maybe stroll around the Polynesian for lunch or something...then hit the park again and find a good spot to stake out for parade, fireworks - my thought here is try to find somewhere to camp out like 5-6PM?

Then on the 31st, we would drive back and park at MK again...maybe again do a half day there with the little kids as they enjoy that...then slowly work our way over towards epcot on the monorail...find early dinner...then a place there to camp out for the NYE events that night?

Hopefully it all works out...either way, plan on having our vehicle parked at the MK lots by 9am or so.....we are early birds.

I would be a a little concerned about that. 9:00 a.m. is not going to be early bird at all those days. Magic Kingdom opens at 8:00 a.m. both those days and also has extra magic hours for resort guests starting at 7:00 a.m. both days. The parking lots reach capacity before the parks so I would be a little worried about getting parked. Someone who has been therer more recently that week and used their own car can probably give you more info on when the parking lot usually closes. Also, I looked for some reports for last year, and they noted that on NYE last year, at 9:40 a.m. MK was at a phase 2 closure and at 11:04 a.m., MK was at a phase 3 closing and that it did not reopen from there until 8:00 p.m. I don't know what time they hit phase 1 and couldn't find it, but maybe someone on here knows.

I also found a little data on December 30 at MK last year. It had a phase 2 closure at about 11:00 a.m., and reopened at about 1:00p.m., but I don't know if it closed again at any time after that.

The good thing is that, I'm not positive, but I think if you have a hopper added to your ticket, even if you are off-site you are not turned away until phase 2.

 

[robinb]

I agree. You will hate yourself if you arrive at 9:00. The lines will already be crazy. We have arrived just 15 mins after rope drop that time of year and it's bad. The MK will open at 8 and you should be at the T&TC at 7:15. You'll make the first ferry over and will be the first offsite guests in the MK.

 

[yulilin3]

Also remember for MK they have buses going from TTC to MK, they have them lined up and ready to go. We have taken the bus and it's much, much quciker than waiting for the monorail or ferry boat

 

[robinb]

Also remember for MK they have buses going from TTC to MK, they have them lined up and ready to go. We have taken the bus and it's much, much quciker than waiting for the monorail or ferry boat

ate they there at rope drop?

 

[MrKnight]

First of all, to the DIS MrKnight!

Thanks robinb!!! I thought I was registered before but I guess I was not, I have been a long-time Disney fan and I am also a former WDW cast member, I am excited to join DIS Boards!

Then on the 31st, we would drive back and park at MK again...maybe again do a half day there with the little kids as they enjoy that...then slowly work our way over towards epcot on the monorail...find early dinner...then a place there to camp out for the NYE events that night?

Hopefully it all works out...either way, plan on having our vehicle parked at the MK lots by 9am or so.....we are early birds.

I would strongly recommend parking at Epcot instead first thing in the morning (leave it there all day) and taking the monorail to/from TTC/MK. The MK parking lot will be EXTREMELY crowded and very difficult to get in and out, late at night when you leave Epcot you would also have to deal with LONG lines to get on the monorail back to TTC for MK parking. You will appreciate having your car conveniently parked at Epcot after a long and exhausting day of fun.